Mickey242 wrote: Wed Feb 22, 2023 6:51 pm
How about the Oktava ML-52-02 ?
440 euros isn't really cheap to me. I mean maybe compared to Royer/AEA but this seems more firmly entrenched in the middle.
Re: Recommend a cheap ribbon mic
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:58 am
by tommy
Picked up one of those Monoprice ribbon mics and experimented with it last night. Sounds pretty decent by itself on a loud guitar cabinet, but didn't really mix very well no matter where I moved it against an MD421 I had close miked. Couldn't get it in phase no matter what I tried, front or back. Sounded great as a room mic though, albeit dark. Tons of low end. Too much really. I can't see ever using it without the low end cut switch. Definitely worth $47! I probably should get a second to do the blumlein thing,
It should be noted that this mic has a built-in preamp of some sort. It requires phantom power, which I wasn't expecting. The good news is that you can't kill it by accidentally feeding it phantom power though!
Re: Recommend a cheap ribbon mic
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:03 pm
by indiegrab_360
This might be useful to someone out there...
sE Electronics X1R is $229.
I used two of them stereo-panned to record the following song, in my bedroom more or less.
I've also used the much more expensive sE Voodoo VR1 ($400) in the same exact setup. The extra $170 per mic gave better results, like... if I was Butch Vig recording Nevermind I'd probably use the Voodoo Vr1's just to be safe.... However....
I actually find myself enjoying playback of the songs I used the X1R microphone just as much. Obviously you can read through the specs of each mic and break down what is contributing to the difference in sound, specifically in the frequency response range where cymbal splashes (or the entire drum kit) are.
I've recorded a lot of stuff and most of the time, the actual performance on the instrument affects the sound quite a bit once you get past the low-fi crud layers applied by any truly cheap gear. Both of the above mentioned ribbons are gonna do the trick. If I had close-mic'd kick/snare I'd be working with a respectable final result. Haven't mic'd toms in years but I'm not opposed, just don't have the equipment to do it right now.
The other ribbon I tried, the Nady RSM-5... which is $89.99 each... They had a pretty cool fat sound if you pushed them, but I blew mine out by using an improper XLR-->1/4" cable, and I think the circuit requires a grounding pin, or I pushed em too hard and they blew out. I was listening to a lot of Big Star at the time and smacking my drums to get that oversaturated warm tone type sound... but it potentially blew out the Nady's ribbons.
tldr; if you're just getting into ribbons, get something cheap, then upgrade after a while. $230 per ribbon mic will give a professional-enough sound imo.
No first hand experience, but DIYre tends to make nice stuff.
Nice, thanks. I have some stuff to order from them anyways, so definitely worth a shot.
I tried these Monoprice ribbons out yesterday, and yeah they are pretty boss for $50. Seems almost like the internal amp has an HF shelf boost built in.
Re: Recommend a cheap ribbon mic
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 8:08 pm
by adavidmackinnon
Ages and ages since I've posted here but I've been following this thread and sprang for a pair of those Monoprice active ribbons. What can I say? They're pretty fantastic for the price. So far I've used them on a single mic drum capture. It was chest level just behind and to the right of me on the throne aimed at the middle of the kit. Sounded great. Tons of lows and I'd agree about them sounding like there's a high shelf EQ going on. They're brighter than I'd expect for a ribbon. It's an ok bright though. It's actually one of the better single mic kit sounds I've gotten. It might be about the placement more than anything (its a spot I haven't mixed for ages) but still...
I also used one on classical guitar for a classical/pedal steel duet record I'm making. I did a few tracks with an re15 and then switched to the ribbon. I slightly prefer the re15 but the ribbon sounds really good and useable. The extra bass and body is nice in this context too.
Jesus... that is so dumb. maybe they just made way too many and want to get rid of them. They are nothing amazing at all but I've been putting them up with other mics as a flavor. I bought 2 more cause its so fucking stupid @ $27 each.